Muller not taking Edinburgh lightly

Johann Muller has dismissed suggestions that Ulster are not taking Edinburgh seriously as they prepare for their Heineken Cup semi-final showdown on Saturday.

It is 13 years since Ulster lifted the European Cup and they are just two games away from emulating their 1999 heroics but they still have the task of trying to overcome Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium.

Given their two RaboDirect PRO12 victories over the Scottish side this season Ulster are the warm favourites to progress to the Twickenham finale but Muller has warned his team-mates they will need to produce the performance of their careers to ensure they do not follow Toulouse out of the competition.

"Everybody knows exactly what they are playing for. It is the biggest game in 13 years for this club, so when people say we're not taking Edinburgh seriously, that is the biggest mistake they can make," the Ulster skipper told The Sun.

"I can tell you one thing, this squad and these players cannot wait for Saturday afternoon. It's probably the biggest game a lot of these guys have played in. The excitement is right up there and everybody is looking forward to it."

Ulster booked their place in the last four with a surprise win over Munster at Thomond Park and Muller will be drawing on that experience and when they go up against Edinburgh. Indeed, he believes tough European games have prepared them for the test that awaits in Dublin.

"The away game in Clermont was an unbelievable experience for all of us as was the away game against Leicester, Biarritz last year and Munster this year," he went on.

"There are a lot of things we have taken on board and learned from. Yes it is a big game, but it is just another game and you must treat it that way.

"I think when you make the occasion too big you forget to play rugby and you fall into that pressure and it can take over.

"For us as leaders our job is to keep the guys nice and cool and relaxed and focused on the job ahead and not too look too hard into an Aviva Stadium full of 55,000 people."